This is another beautiful place to drive oneself to. It can be a day trip,
returning to sleep on Phuket, or one can easily find accommodation and stay
overnight. Khao Lak is one of the up-and-coming satellite resorts that is
growing rapidly to satisify the demand of those wishing to get further away
from Phuket.

To get to Khao Lak, where most of the accommodation is found, it takes only two
hours from the south end of Phuket, and little more than an hour once you have
crossed the SarasinBridge onto the mainland.
There are many interesting distractions along the side roads to stretch this
out. These include several waterfalls along the east side of the road, several
of which are clearly sign-posted. At Tap Lamu there is a fishing and navy port
from which many tour boats leave for the SimilanIslands.

After leaving PhuketIsland the drive is long and flat, till the road
winds up over the mountain at the tiny KhaoLakNational Park. After crossing the
forest-engulfed peak, the road suddenly noses out to the edge of the mountain,
giving panoramic ocean views of the coast stretching northwards. A small road-side
restaurant clings to the side of the mountain here, offering with the best
views of this entire drive.

Accommodation in Khao Lak
This mountain marks the beginning of miles of quiet beach where many new
bungalow resorts are springing up among the casaurina trees, making it very
easy to find accommodation. About a dozen resorts, from small to medium in size
and price, are clustered in the first few kilometres. As one drives further
north the road follows the coast, but is usually a couple of kilometres inland.
There are occasional signs along the road indicating more isolated bungalows
and resorts hugging the coastline. Ranong - end of this coastal drive
This coastal drive continues all the way to Ranong, a provincial town that
borders Burma (Myanmar).
The immigration post on the river there will usually allow both Thais and
foreigners to take the short boat ride over to VictoriaPoint in Burma during daylight hours,
returning the same day. Shopping for Burmese goods is popular, and there is a
Thai-operated casino on the Burmese side also.